To Las Vegas

The run from Lake Tahoe to Vegas was dramatic and harsh as one would expect the high dessert to be. I crossed too many passes to count, but US395 was a beautiful drive. I thought about stopping by Yosemite also. Of the almost twenty years on the west coast and innumerable trips up and down the coast, I never stopped by the jewel.SR120 had not yet opened this spring yet, so I needed to once again postpone this visit. (To go around to the east end would have added four hours to the trip.)

I stayed in a small town called Independence, California. In an hotel built in the 1920's for Hollywood filmmakers. Evidently a lot of Westerns were filmed up here. The hotel was quite dated, but I loved this: The creaky hardwood floors and old furniture was so nice compared to the same homogenous places I stay at the other ninety percent of the times. 

This picture was taken on the way to Death Valley. Manzanar was a WWII internment camp for the Japanese Americans. This was a sad way to spend a morning, reflect on who happened here at this site. 

But onward to Death Valley where I was able carve out a few miles to hike in the hot sun. Remarkable, stark beauty in this rugged land. I write from Las Vegas, where I will work for the next few days.  

 

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